Resilient clamp socket for electric lamps in series



Jan. 21, 1930. M. HESSEL 1,744,383

\r. 'RESILIENT CLAMP SOCKET FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS IN SERIES Filed Aug. 17, 1928 INVENTOR Max fle swel.

Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE aux unseat, or eu'rrnnnnne, NEW mnsny Application flled'August 17, 1928. Serial No. 800,265.

This invention relates to devices for supporting conducting sockets for electric lamp terminals and more particularly to a plurality of such sockets arranged in series, as used in connection with Christmas tree ornaments and similar ornamental installations.

The inconvenience attendant upon making suitable, safe and easy installations of this character is well known and, in addition to the fire hazard incurred, has been a strong deterrent factor in the use of electric displays for such purposes. I

It is therefore an object of the present 1nvention to provide a simple, safe and efl'ective form of socket carrying support, and

readily capable of being apphed by anyperson without previous experience.

A further feature is in the pI'0V1S1OIl of a device suited to carry a plurality of terminal sockets whereby a considerable number of lamps can be arranged in series and disposed at various points as may be desired.

Another purpose is to produce a devlce having a self-adjusting spring clamp su1ted to engage varying sizes of supports, as for instance the trunk or limb of a tree, without mutilation, no tools or appliances of any kind being required.

These several important features, 1n addition to economy, simplicity, safety and low cost, are attained by the novel and practical construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, constituting amaterial part of this disclosure, and in wh1ch:-

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a conventional type of Christmas tree showing two of the devices engaged.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device showing the method of making connections.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the terminal blocks, partially broken away and showing its connections.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing one of the intermediate blocks. Referring in greatervdetail to the accompanying drawing, the numeral 11 designates the trunk of a tree, mounted in a suitable stand 12. Placed in desired positions around the tree are the fixtures, which taken as a whole are designated by the numeral 13. These fixtures are composed of a series of non-conducting segmental blocks 14 and 15, the latter being at the ends of the series.

Each of the segmental non-conducting blocks 14 is provided with a hole 15, extending through from side to side within the narrow portion and are strung coiled spring 16, the ends of which are fastened by means of a hook 17 and eye 18. In

this way they are looped around the trunk. or other portion of a tree or like support 11, and hooked in adjusted position, to be tensionally held by the spring 16.

The lamps 19 used in connection with the fixtures are provided with sockets 20, having conductors 21 and 22 ending in terminals 23 and 24, equipped with plugs 25 and 26.

The end blocks 14 in the fixtures are provided at one side with sockets 27, a similar socket 28 being on the opposite side, these sockets being connected by a conductor 29, from which extends a conducting socket 30 receptive of one of the terminal plugs of the lamp.

Power-is delivered from a a cord 32 having branches 33 and 34 provided with terminal plugs 35, engaged in sockets 27, these members being provided with nonconducting sleeves 36.

plug 31 through on a helically Another conductor 37 is provided with tended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what- 2 masses is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A multiple electric light fixture comprising, in combination with a'support, and 5 a plurality of electric lamps having con-- ductors provided with terminals, of a series of dielectric segmental blocks arranged in a circle around said support, said blocks having transverse openings in their inner porm tions, a resilient element passing through the opening to secure the blocks on the support, paired sockets. fixed inthe outer portions pf said blocks to receive the lamp. conductor terminals, and conductors between the first '5 and last socket and a supply of electrical energy. v

2. A multiple'electric light fixture comprising, in combinationwith a'support, an electric circuit and a plurality of lam s hay-- ing conductors provided with termina plugs, of a series of non-conductin blocks encircling said support, an elastic %and confining said blocks thereagainst, said band being de-' tachably engaged, a pair of plug receiving" sockets in each block, said sockets being connected in series, and connections to the en blocks from the electric circuit.

' 3. A multiple electric light fixture comprising, in combination with a support and an electric circuit, of a row of sockets encircling said support, a spring constraining the sockets around the support, connections between said circuit and end sockets, and a series of lamps having connections with the intermediate sockets whereby the lamps are connected in series.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MAX HESSEL. 

